Patients could be fined for missing GP dates

Patients may be fined for missing appointments with GPs, as part of a Government scheme to cut down on wastage in the NHS, it was reported today.

Following the Budget on April 17, Health Secretary Alan Milburn published a document entitled Delivering the NHS Plan which spelt out his determination to stop "unfair and inappropriate" use of NHS resources.

Patients' right to treatment when they needed it gave them an equal duty to use the health service responsibly, the document warned.

Today's edition of The Sun reported that this would mean fines for skipping appointments, prosecutions for those who call ambulances without good cause and powers to allow doctors to refuse to treat unruly patients.

The proposals had been drawn up by Mr Milburn in meetings with Downing Street officials, it said.

The Department of Health confirmed that Mr Milburn was working on ideas to improve use of NHS resources, but said that reports of any specific proposals were "speculation".

A spokesman said: "While patients have the right to expect access to improving services, based on need and choice, people also have a responsibility to ensure they use health services fairly and appropriately.

"As we improve the rights and experiences of patients, so we must do more to strengthen responsibility."

Figures in Delivering the NHS Plan showed that some 12% of those dialling 999 for emergency ambulances had no injury or illness. A further 46% did not need emergency treatment.